Remember a year when Louis van Gaal was named the new Manchester United manager and the press were speculating how that Robin van Persie could be named the new United captain? Well that didn’t happen and fast forward twelve months and van Gaal has sold his former national team captain to Fenerbahce for £4.7million.
Van Persie was not amused at the way that he as treated by van Gaal and decided his time at United was up after being made to train on his own by Van Gaal last week.
The striker, who was received a hero’s welcome from 18,000 Fenerbahce fans at his unveiling on Tuesday, said:
“I had a really good moment with the players just before I left.
“Everyone in the squad showed me that they had appreciated my time at United. That was enough for me to leave with the right feeling.”
Van Persie then interrupted the translator to add:
“Let me please add one more person to thank.
“I highly appreciate the work of [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward in this transfer. He was the man who was very classy in all this. A true gentleman.
“Ed, if you are listening or watching, thank you!’’
Van Persie was brilliant in his first season at Old Trafford as he single handily carried United to the title with 26 league goals. But injuries, as they had at Arsenal, once again caught up with him and he became less and less influential.
He added: “I had to leave the club, and that was not a big surprise to me. I saw the situation coming.
“I was getting used to the situation (of being overlooked). I don’t make a big deal of it. It is football for you.
“Honestly, I have no hard feelings how it has all gone. I accept it. I had a good time with the players and that is important.’’
